A venturesome journalistic spirit in the form of George Nearpass walked into Marmont one day, set up his little printing press, and began the spreading of the local news and gossip through the medium of type. From that small and somewhat crude beginning, and after forty years of upbuilding, during which time four editors have occupied the chair in the "sanctum," has evolved the present strictly modern and highly developed "Culver Citizen."-Edwin Corwin, One Township's Yesterdays
the November, 1967 transfer from Cleveland to Independent-News Co.
the November, 1967 transfer from Cleveland to Independent-News Co.
Editor Robert Urbin photographed in 1967, and the articles announcing the change over.
Culver Citizen sold to Independent News Co Walkerton Nov. 9 1967
Those were hard days for the Citizen -- it was often only a smeared four-page tabloid. In May 1974, however, the newspaper got a new lese on life when Tom and Bernadette Zoss assumed control. Under their enthusiastic leadership, the Citizen acquired new computerized equipment, an increased circulation, new features, including Bob Kyle's "Lake Water" and this column, and a new "clean" image.
Tom Zoss, editor as of 1974 (pictured in a recent photo)
Bob Kyle photographed in 1953
one of John Houghton's "I Remember" columns
Mike Clifton, the new Citizen editor as of 1976
two views of the new Jerie Jayne editor in October, 1976. The Wednesday, Dec. 29, 1976 issue of the Citizen was to be the last, as the publishers announced the demise of the paper after 82 years of publication. Culver news for the following 2 years was carried by the weekly TV Plus, a sister publication. On March 2, 1978, the Citizen resumed publication under the ownership of the Tribune-News Publishing Company with Arlene Nix as editor.
Arlene J. Nix, the new Citizen editor as of March, 1978
the Citizen revived, the first issue in 14 months published on March 2, 1978
Bob Kyle examines the new Citizen
Cody McFarland was the first to purchase the newly revived paper.
In the summer of 1982, Bill Mitchell of Milford, Illinois moved his family to Culver to take over publication of the Citizen.
Robert Rust in the 1980s, and the Citizen article on his life and passing.Former Citizen editor Robert quot;Bob" Rust was one of the few from the newspaper’s past to stay in the Culver area. Rust became something of a local history stalwart (as did John Cleveland, son of former editor Chet Cleveland, who also spent his last days in the Culver area). Rust wrote articles and even a few books on the history of Culver, and passed away in his 80s in 1986.
Robert Rust in the 1980s, and the Citizen article on his life and passing.Former Citizen editor Robert quot;Bob" Rust was one of the few from the newspaper’s past to stay in the Culver area. Rust became something of a local history stalwart (as did John Cleveland, son of former editor Chet Cleveland, who also spent his last days in the Culver area). Rust wrote articles and even a few books on the history of Culver, and passed away in his 80s in 1986.
Fred continues to write freelance and Judy works in real estate – in the same downtown office from which the Citizen was once published – today. In May, 1998, the Karsts sold the paper to Community Newspapers, Inc., a holding company for several area newspapers, including the Plymouth Pilot and the Knox Leader. Maggie Nixon served as the paper’s editor in 1998 (she is now editor of the Pilot-News). The present editor of the Culver Citizen is Kelly Masson.
Fred continues to write freelance and Judy works in real estate – in the same downtown office from which the Citizen was once published – today. In May, 1998, the Karsts sold the paper to Community Newspapers, Inc., a holding company for several area newspapers, including the Plymouth Pilot and the Knox Leader. Maggie Nixon served as the paper’s editor in 1998 (she is now editor of the Pilot-News). The present editor of the Culver Citizen is Kelly Masson.
"The Herald/Citizen has been a part of the Culver community for more than half its life; at its best it was a leader in the town's affairs and even at its worst it held us together by providing something for us to complain about. What more could we ask?"
